Oral SACT Nurse | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester

An excellent opportunity has arisen to work as a band 6 within the Oral SACT Team. We review patients on Oral SACT only. We assess patients across various disease groups and determine if they are fit to have treatment and organise for the collection or delivery of medication. We are a nurse-led service with pharmacy and wider MDT support. We are looking for someone to join our dynamic nurse-led team and work with us to deliver a high standard of care.

The job is based at The Christie main site and involves occasionally supporting other areas of SACT services when needed. The Oral SACT Team provides a Monday to Friday clinic service, assessing and delivering Oral SACT treatments to patients who are referred to us by their parent team. The assessment and monitoring of these patients and safe delivery of treatment is a key part of the role. You will also be required to provide support where required to Oak Road Treatment Centre and staff.

The staff ensure that they are providing a supportive environment to enable others to develop excellent skills and knowledge within this field. Once established in the role, you will be expected to manage your own workload given to you but also work as part of a dynamic team. You will be required to keep up to date with all clinical skills within SACT so you can support Outreach and SACT Services when required.

We are looking for a dynamic individual who is able to demonstrate initiative and vision in continuing to move the service forward whilst assisting in implementing service changes and developments with a positive impact on patient care. Encouraging staff engagement and leading by example being a strong positive role model.

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Duties and responsibilities – Clinical:

• Assessment and prioritisation of the needs of the patient undergoing SACT and their family.
• Safe administration of SACT, managing SACT reactions or adverse reactions.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards.
• Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations.
• Assess educational and informational needs of patient and family, providing up-to-date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
• Enhance care within the clinical area by using relevant research outcomes when planning and delivering nursing care.
• Evaluate nursing care and communicate with medical staff of patient’s changing healthcare needs.
• Maintain safe practice according to Hospital Policies and Standards; ensure all prescribed drugs and treatments are given in accordance with Hospital Policy.
• Support SACT outreach sites as required.
• Post holder will have attained UKONS (United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society) passport.
• Participates in ongoing implementation and practice of Clinical Governance / Clinical Risk Management, specific to the unit.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of all equipment used in the care and management of cancer patients.
• Prepare patients for safe transfer to ward areas.
• This post requires manual dexterity to operate the full range of equipment used in the chemotherapy day care unit and to provide all elements of patient care.
• Moving and handling of patients and equipment will be carried out in line with Trust policies and training.
• The role involves transporting patients to areas within the Trust.
• It will be necessary for the post holder to assist with various invasive procedures as appropriate for their level.
• Standing for long periods during the shift and providing patient care that requires moderate physical effort.
• Emergency situations such as cardiac arrest will incur short periods of increased effort in delivery of resuscitation.
• Providing care and communicating with patients undergoing cancer treatments requires intense emotional effort.
• The role involves emotionally distressing work such as supporting families and patients through the unpredictable course of illness and treatments.
• Support junior staff whilst they care for very sick or unwell patients.
• Distressed relatives are occasionally aggressive in their behaviour and distressed patients may be physically or verbally aggressive.
• Post holders will be exposed daily to bodily fluids and may be exposed to offensive odours.
• Noise levels from equipment and personnel are increased at certain times according to activity and occupancy.
• The post holder will need to be able to maintain patient care and accurate documentation concurrent with interruptions from colleagues, relatives and from other sources.
• Mathematical calculations will need to be carried out with consistent accuracy throughout each shift.
• The ability to manage several things at one time is essential.
• Non-Medical prescriber, prescribe and review medication for effective symptom control for patients undergoing SACT in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and local guidelines within scope of practice.

Managerial:

• Provides effective, visible clinical leadership for the team, liaising with the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse as appropriate.
• Deputise for the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse as requested.
• Is aware of financial considerations and makes judgements to maximise cost effectiveness and cost efficiency under the direct supervision of a Senior Sister / Charge Nurse.
• Assists the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to operate the unit in a cost-effective manner, including skill mix, targets and clinical standards.
• Conducts individual performance reviews with allocated staff members and maintains their Personal Development Plans.
• Assists with recruitment and selection of staff; fosters a supportive working environment and staff morale.
• Supports new ward staff and pre/post registered nurses; works with the senior sister to ensure clinical standards and audits of care.
• Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety At Work Act; assists in initiating and implementing change and in promoting professional accountability.
• Assists Senior Sister in recruitment of new staff and participates in Clinical Risk Assessments and incident documentation.
• Provide management support for SACT day services junior staff and mentor designated staff.
• Manage staffing levels and skill mix; plan rota and address sickness/absence per policy.
• Regularly liaise with Department Manager/Senior Nursing team on unit affairs and staff development.

Education:

• Maintain own awareness of current nursing practice; use educational opportunities to maintain high standards and up-to-date care.
• Supervise clinical staff, disseminate knowledge, and participate in teaching and mentoring; liaise with School of Nursing for training assessments and NMC guidelines.
• Provide teaching on mentorship to students, newly qualified nurses, and new starters; competency in IV training and SACT programme updates (UKON’s passport).
• Participate in research and audits that influence practice.

Personal:

• Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner; maintain confidentiality; adhere to policies on sickness, absence, confidentiality, uniform and Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Report and record all accidents, incidents and complaints; support supervision and teaching of staff, and maintain a supportive team environment.
• Be aware of responsibilities with regard to performance reviews and personal development plans.

Professional Development:

• Agree learning objectives with the senior sister; undertake appropriate study and training; gain teaching skills and participate in personal and staff performance reviews.
• Develop managerial skills within the clinical setting upon request; participate in teaching and assessment courses.